Feed device for thread rolling machines and the like



June 1955 E. G. GROHOSKI 3,

FEED DEVICE FOR THREAD ROLLING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. EDWARD G. GROHOSKI BYW W Mg yw AT TORN EYS June 29, 1965 E. s. GROHOSKI FEED DEVICE FOR THREAD ROLLING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed July 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD G. GROHOSKI BY fizeiflw M?! ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,191,423 FEED DEVICE FOR THREAD ROLLING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Edward G. Grohoski, Litchfield, Conn., assignor to The Hartford Special Machinery Company, Simsbury,

Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed July 13, 1964, Ser. No. 383,551 13 Claims. (Cl. 72-428) This application is a continuation-in-part of copending patent application Serial Number 267,717, filed March 25, 1963, and now abandoned.

This invention generally relates to thread rolling machines and the like and more specifically to an improved feed device particularly suited for guiding screw blanks to a desired location in the thread forming mechanism.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide an improved thread rolling machine wherein interruptions in the normal operation thereof occasioned by malformed screw blanks are greatly reduced.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved thread rolling machine wherein malformed screw blanks may be easily removed without disturbing the remaining screw blanks or interfering withthe tooling and thread forming mechanism of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a thread rolling machine an improved feed device that will guide screw blanks as they are fed along a' track to the thread forming mechanism while being easily movable to an inoperative position for removing malformed screw blanks from the track without disturbing the arrangement of the remaining screw blanks. Included in this object is the provision of such a feed device which will hold the screw blanks in proper position in the thread forming mechanism.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a feed device which may be easily incorporated into existing thread rolling machines. and the like and that has a relatively simple but rugged construction which will provide dependable service over long periods of repeated use.

An additional primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved work blank feeding apparat'us particularly useful with thread rolling machines, slotters, and the like wherein rapid clearing of malformed blanks from the feeding apparatus is essential to high speed machine operation.

Other objects will be in part obvious. and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 i s'a fragmentalperspective view of a thread rolling machine incorporating a feed device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmental right hand side view of the feed device shown in FIG. 1 when the feed device is in operative position and with portions of the machine shown in cross section; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the feed device in inoperative position. i

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows for illustrative purposes, a thread rolling machine 2 of the type disclosed in cop'endi'ng United States patent application Serial Number 43,816, filed July 19, 1960, now US. Patent No. 3,117,473, issued January 14, 1964, entitled Thread Rolling Machine and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The machine 2 incorporates a feed device generally designated 4, embodying the present invention, utilized in guiding the screw blanks 6 as they are conveyed along a feed track 7 from a hopper (not shown) to the thread forming mechanism which in the illustrated embodiment includes stationary and reciprocable dies 8, 10, respectively. It is to be understood that the feed device of this invention has substantial utility with other machines of the type which require improved feed clearing features, such as slotters and the like, in order to provide high speed operation.

In the illustrated machine 2, the reciprocable die 10 is mounted to a slide 12 by a clamp 14 while the slide 12 is connected to a pitman 16, through which the slide 12 and the die 10 are reciprocated by any suitable means such as a motor and crank wheel (not shown). A combination gate and starting finger 18 is provided for controlling the discharge of the screw blanks 6 from the feed track 7 and for wedging the blanks between the dies 8, 10 at the commencement of each thread rolling operation. The feed track 7 in the illustrated machine 2 is formed by a pair of parallel rails 20 spaced to receive the screw blanks 6 therebetween in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and with the heads 9 of the screw blanks 6 resting on the rails 20, the rails 20 being inclined downwardly from the hopper to provide a gravity feed. For a more detailed description of the thread rolling machine 2 and its operation, reference is made to the aboveidentified patent application.

In thread rolling machines of the general type described above, a longitudinally extending cover for the feed track is employed to guide screw blanks in a predetermined position as they are delivered along the feed track to the dies. In such machines, whenever a malformed screw blank impedes the discharge of the blanks to the dies, it is necessary to remove the track cover in order to permit removal of the defective screw blank. This procedure of removing the track cover is not only time consuming but further, usually results in disarrangement of the remaining screw blanks on the feed track.

'In accordance with the invention, the feed device or cover assembly 4 is provided above the track 7 to cooperate therewith in guiding the screw blanks 6 in proper position as they are fed along the track to the dies 8, 10.

The feed device 4 basically includes a fixed main cover 28 and a movable extension cover, generally designated 30, located at the discharge end of the track 7 and pivotally connected to the discharge end 29 of the main 3 ship to the track 7, and a second inoperative position shown in FIG. 3 wherein the extension cover 30 is disposed away from the track thereby exposing several of the screw blanks 6. The feed device 4 further includes a latch generally designated for releasably locking the exten sion cover 30 in operative position.

In the illustrated embodiment the main cover 28 has an elongated body, generally rectangular in cross section, and is adjustably mounted by the bracket 38 to the bed 5 of the machine 2 so as to extend above the track rails 20 in parallel and spaced relationship thereto.

The extension cover 30 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a pair of generally rectangular side plates 40 fixed as by the rivets 42 to the opposite sides of an L- shaped spacer block 44 with the side plates 40 extending beyond the spacer block 44 to form a channel 45 which receives the discharge end 29 of the main cover 28, and with the lower surface of the side plates 40 and spacer block 44 forming the guide face 34 of the extension cover 30.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the discharge or for- Patented June 29, 1965' ward end 29 of the main cover 28 is dimensioned and configured to be received in the channel 45 of the extension cover 30 with the guide faces 32, 34 positioned for registry as described above and with corresponding portions of the cover 28, 30 in positive interengagement. To this end, the discharge end 29 of'the main cover 28 is formed with a longitudinally extending flat shoulder 46 and a transverse forward shoulder 48 which shoulders 46, 48 are engageable with corresponding surfaces 47, 49 of the spacer block 44 of the extension cover 30, when the extension cover 30 is in operative position. 7

The pivotal connection between the extension cover 38 and the main cover 28 is effected by a pivot pin 58 extending through mounting apertures in the extension cover side plates 48 and in the main cover 28, the pin 58 being held therein bysuitable retaining rings 56. The rear ends of the side plates 48 of the extension cover 38 are chamfered at 58 to avoid contact with the screw blanks 6 when the extension'cover 38 is pivoted, while the discharge end 29 of the main cover 28 is relieved as at 59 to be spaced from the spacer block 44 and to thereby facilitate pivotal movement of the extension cover 38.

The latch 36 in the illustrated embodiment comprises a slide pin 68 extending across the channel 45 of the extension cover 38 and journalled in the side plates 48 thereof for slidable movement by a pair of elongated slots 62 formed in the side plates 40. A latch groove 64 is provided in the discharge end 29 of the main cover 28 dimensioned to receive the slide pin 68 against the upper wall 65 shown as being inclined to thereby securely lock the extension cover 30 in operative position with the guide faces 32, 34 registering in continuous relationship as shown in FIG. 2.

An operating lever 66 is provided for sliding the latch pin 60 into and out of the groove 64, comprising a yoketype body including a gripping knob 67 and a pair of legs 68 which straddle the extension cover 38 and are pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 69 received through the spacer block 44. The ends of the lever legs 68 are provided with slots '78 which receive the ends 61 of the latch pin 60, the ends 61 of the latch pin 68 being reduced in diameter so as to provide a fit in the lever slots 70 that will prevent transverse dislodgment of the pin 68 from the extension cover 30.

In order to bias the latch pin 60 in the latch groove 64 there are provided in the illustrated embodiment a pair of springs 74 each having one end fixed to one of the ends 61 of the latch pin 68 and having the other end anchored to a pin '78 fixed transversely in the main cover 28. The location of the anchor pin 78 on the main cover 28 is oifset from the pivot 58 of the extension cover 36 so that the springs 74 will also bias the extension cover 30 in its inoperative position shown in FIG. 3.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a shoe 80 is provided on the forward or discharge end of the extension cover 38 to engage the heads 9 of the screw blanks 6 to hold the same down in proper position which, in the specific embodiment illustrated, is between the dies 8, so as to insure that the finished screws will have a uniform or full length of threads rolled thereon.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shoe 80 is resiliently and adjustably mounted by means of a leaf type spring 82 having one arm 84 fixed to spacer block 44 of the extension cover 30 by the screw 85 and nut and bolt 86, 88. The spring 82 has a movable arm 90 apertured to receive the bolt 88 and formed with a downwardly extending portion 92 spaced from the discharge end of the extension cover 30. The shoe 86 is adjustably mounted to the spring portion 92 by a screw 94 received first in an elongated slot 96 provided in the spring portion 92 and then in a threaded hole 98 provided in the shoe 88.

A nut and washer unit 100 are provided on the bolt 88 above the movable spring arm 90 to adjust the position of the spring arm 98 and thereby the hold down force exerted by the shoe 88 on the screw blanks 6. The nut 188 may also be employed as an additional means for adjusting the vertical position of the shoe 80 towards or away from the dies 8, 10.

In use, when the extension cover 38 is in operative position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the latch pin 60 is received in groove 64, the covers 28, 38 will present their guide faces 32, 34 in flush or continuous registration for guiding the heads 9 of the screw blanks 6 as they are delivered along the track rails 20 to the dies 8, 18. Accidental movement of the extension cover relative to the main rail 28, caused for example by the pressure exerted thereon by the screw blanks 6 is prevented by the biasing force imposed on the latch pin 60 by the springs 74.

When the removal of a defective screw blank from the track rails 28 is desired, the operator merely pivots the lever 66 clockwise (as viewed in the drawings) thereby disengaging the latch pin 60 whereupon the extension cover 36 is pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 3 which position is defined by the engagement between the leaf spring 82 and the main cover 28 and is maintained by the biasing force of the springs '74. This movement of the extension cover 38 to inoperative position may be made in virtually one motion without disturbing the screw blanks on the track and is highly facilitated by the knob 102 provided on the bolt 88 which may be grasped together with the lever knob 67, by the hand.

A suitable retractable stop is provided such as the step 186 slidably mounted on the bed 5 in the illustrated embodiment, which stop 186 is extended partially across the track 7 by the operator for holding the unremoved screw blanks 6 in proper position (see FIG. 3) while the operator is removing the defective screw blanks.

After the defective blank has been removed, in order to return the extension cover 38 to operative position, the extension cover 36 is merely pivoted counterclockwise (as viewed in the drawings) and the latch pin 60 is engaged in its groove 64 by manipulating the operating lever 66 and with the aid of springs 74. If desired, the discharge end 29 of the main cover 28 may be provided with the inclined surface 188 (see FIG. 3) above the latch groove 64 to act as a cam for facilitating movement of the latch pin 68 just prior to being received in the groove 64.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a unique track cover assembly particularly suitable for use in machines such as a thread rolling machine where it will guide the blanks to a selected discharge point and yet is conveniently movable to an inoperative position for exposing several of the blanks while at the same time maintaining the remaining blanks on the track in the proper position for the desired delivery.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure above described will become readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a thread rolling machine having stationary and movable dies and a feed track for conveying screw blanks in a predetermined position to a location adjacent the stationary die, a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned coextensive with the track with the extension cover located at one end of the main cover generally at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having a guide face engageable with the screw blanks being fed along the track to the dies, means connecting the extension cover to the main cover for movement between a first position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are continuous and parallel to the track and a second position wherein the extension cover is positioned away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in different planes to thereby expose a number of the screw blanks,

and a latch for releasably locking the extension coverfor the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned coextensive with the track and with the extension cover located generally at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the screw blanks being fed along the track to the dies, means pivotally connecting the extension cover to the discharge end of the main cover for movement towards and away from a plane including the rails of the track, and a releasable latch for locking the extension cover in a position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are continuously disposed in parallel relationship to the track.

3. In a thread rolling machine having stationary and movable dies and a feed track for conveying screw blanks in a predetermined position to a location adjacent the stationary die, a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and anextension cover positioned coextensive with the track with the extension cover located generally at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the screw blanks being fed along the track to the dies, means pivotally connecting the extension cover to the discharge end of the main cover for movement between a first operable position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are continuously disposed in parallel relationship to the track for guiding the screw blanks and a second inoperable position wherein the extension cover is disposed away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in different planes to thereby expose a number of the screw blanks, and a releasable latch for locking the extension cover in said first position comprising a slide journalled in the extension cover for movement towards and away from the discharge end of the main cover and a groove in the discharge end of the main cover dimensioned to receive the slide, and a spring biasing the slide in the groove when the extension cover is in said first position.

4. In a thread rolling machine as defined in claim 3 wherein there is provided a latch-operating lever pivotally mounted on the extension cover and having one end connected to the slide to drive the same away from the discharge end of the main cover upon pivoting of the lever and wherein said spring has one end engaging the slide and the other end anchored to the main cover such that the spring also biases the extension cover in said second position.

5. In a thread rolling machine having stationary and movable dies and a feed track for conveying screw blanks in a predetermined position to a location adjacent the stationary die, a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned above the track with the extension cover located general-1y at the discharge end of the track, each of the covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the screw blanks fed along the track to the dies, means connecting the extension cover to the discharge end of the main cover for movement between a first operable position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are in continuous and parallel relationship to the track for guiding the screws and a second inoperable position wherein the extension cover is disposed away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in different planes to thereby expose a number of the screw blanks, a releasable latch for locking the covers in said first position, a shoe located above the dies and mounted on the discharge end of the extension cover, said shoe being engageable with the screw blanks for holding the screw blanks down between the dies, and means on the cover for adjusting the position of the shoe towards and away from the dies.

6. In a thread rolling machine having stationary and movable dies and a feed track for conveying screw blanks in a predetermined position to a location adjacent the stationary die, a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned above the track with the extension cover located generally at the discharge end of the track, each of the covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the screw blanks fed along the track to the dies, means pivotally connecting the extension cover to the discharge end .of the main cover for movement between a first position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are disposed in continuous and parallel relationship to the track and a second position wherein the extension cover is disposed away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in different planes, a releasable latch for locking the extension cover in said first position, a spring mounted to the extension cover having a portion located above the discharge end of the track, a shoe located above the dies adjustably mounted to said portion of the spring and being engageable with the screw blanks for holding the screw blanks down between the dies, and means for adjusting the position of said spring portion towards and away from the dies to thereby adjust the hold-down force exerted on the screw blanks by the shoe.

7. For use'in a thread rolling machine and the like having a feed track for conveying work blanks to a thread-forming mechanism, a feed device for covering the feed track and guiding the work blanks conveyed along the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover having registrable guide faces adapted to be placed above the track with the extension cover located generally at the discharge end of the track and with the guide faces parallel and spaced from the track, means pivotally connecting the extension cover to the main cover for movement between a first operative position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are disposed in continuous relationship for guiding work blanks, and a second inoperative position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are disposed in different planes for providing access to a number of work blanks on the track, and a latch for releasably locking the extension cover in operative position.

8. A feed device as defined in claim 7 wherein there is provided a shoe mounted at the discharge end of the extension cover for holding work blanks down in proper position in the thread-forming mechanism, and means A on the extension cover for adjusting the position of the shoe thereon.

9. In a thread rolling machine having stationary and movable dies and a feed track including parallel rails for conveying screw blanks to a location adjacent the stationary die, a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned coextensive with the track rails with the extension cover located at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the screw blanks fed along the track to the dies, the extension cover including a spacer block and a pair of side plates fixed on opposite sides of the spacer block and extending from one end of the spacer block to form a channel receiving one end of the main cover, means pivotally connecting said side plates to said one end of the main cover to permit movement of the extension cover towards and away from a plane including the track rails between a first operative position wherein the guide faces are continuous and parallel to the track and a second inoperative position wherein the extension cover is positioned away from the track to expose a number of the screw blanks, a latch pin journalled in said side plates for slidable movement towards and away from said one end of the main cover, a latch groove in said one end of the main cover dimensioned to receive the latch pin to thereby lock the extension cover in said first position, a lever pivotally mounted to the extension cover and connected to the latch pin for sliding the latch pin into and out of the latch groove, and a spring means anchored to the main cover and connected to the latch pin for biasing the latch pin in said groove when the extension cover is in said first position and for biasing the extension cover in said second position.

10. A feeding apparatus comprising a feed track for conveying work blanks in a predetermined position to a desired location, and a cover assembly for the track comprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned coextensive with the track with the extension cover located at one end of the maincover generally at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having a guide face engageable with the blanks being fed along the track to the desired location, means connecting the extension cover to the main cover for movement between a first position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces :are continuous and parallel to the track and a second position wherein the extension cover is positioned away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in difierent planes to thereby expose a number of the blanks, and a latch for releasably locking the extension cover in said first position. 7

11. The feeding apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein there is provided a shoe mounted at the discharge end of the extension cover for holding work blanks down in proper position in a desired location, and means on the extension cover for adjusting the position of the shoe thereon.

12. A feeding apparatus comprising a feed track for conveying blanks in a predetermined position to a desired location, and a cover assembly for the trackcomprising a main cover and an extension cover positioned coextensive with the track with the extension cover located gene-rally at the discharge end of the track, each of said covers having registrable guide faces engageable with the blanks being fed along the track to the desired location, means pivotally connecting the extension cover to the discharge end of the main cover for movement between a first operable position wherein the adjacent portions of the guide faces are continuously disposed in parallel relationship to the track for guiding the blanks and a second inoperable position wherein the extension cover is disposed away from the track with the adjacent portions of the guide faces lying in different planes to thereby expose a number of the blanks, and :a releasable latch for locking the extension cover in said first position comprising a slide journalled in the extension cover for movement towards and away from the discharge end of the main cover and a groove in the discharge end of the main cover dimensioned to receive the slide, and a spring biasing the slide in the groove when the extension cover is in said first position.

13. The feeding apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein there is provided a latch-operating lever pivotally mounted on the extension cover and having one end connected to the slide to drive the same away from the discharge end of the m-ain cover upon pivoting of the lever and wherein said spring has one end engaging the slide and the other end anchored to the main cover such that the spring also biases the extension cover in said second position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,146,561 7/15 Gaess -8 1,254,178 1/18 Thorsell 80-8 1,584,264 5/25 Wilcox 80-8 2,020,659 11/35 Frost 80-8 2,065,066 12/36 Freter et al 80-7 2,967,444 A 1/61 Hall-berg 80-8 MICHAEL V. BRINDIS-I, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN A THREAD ROLLING MACHINE HAVING STATIONARY AND MOVABLE DIES AND A FEED TRACK FOR CONVEYING SCREW BLANKS IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION TO A LOCATION ADJACENT THE STATIONARY DIE, A COVER ASSEMBLY FOR THE TRACK COMPRISING A MAIN COVER AND AN EXTENSION COVER POSITIONED COEXTENSIVE WITH THE TRUCK WITH THE EXTENSION COVER LOCATED AT ONE END OF THE MAIN COVER GENERALLY AT THE DISCHARGE END OF THE TRACK, EACH OF SAID COVERS HAVING A GUIDE FACE ENGAGEABLE WITH THE SCREW BLANKS BEING FED ALONG THE TRACK TO THE DIES, MEANS CONNECTING THE EXTENSION COVER TO THE MAIN COVER FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE GUIDE FACES ARE CONTINUOUS AND PARALLEL TO THE TRACK AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THE EXTENSION COVER IS POSITIONED AWAY FROM THE TRACK WITH THE ADJACENT PORTIONS OF THE GUIDE FACES LYING IN DIFFERENT PLANES TO THEREBY EXPOSE A NUMBER OF THE SCREW BLANKS, AND A LATCH FOR RELEASABLY LOCKING THE EXTENSION COVER IN SAID FIRST POSITION. 